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He said: “Despite the recognition of the crucial role of Task Forces and the Community Drug Projects which they support, the 24 Task Forces across the country, hit by cumulative cuts of up to 37% during austerity years, are being left behind as austerity measures are rolled back.

“LDATFs provide their local communities (the communities most critically effected by problem drug use) with crucial support in responding to drugs problems over the past two decades.

"They provide a multi-agency structure in which local communities can raise their concerns and assist in the planning and oversight of locally developed services and responses, alongside local public representatives, statutory, voluntary and community agencies."

He added that drug problems in communities are becoming increasingly complex.

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“Despite large amounts of additional funding being allocated to social inclusion and drug services in 2018, there has only been limited additional and once-off funding provided for LDATFs," he said.

"With the health budget now set for 2019 ,the Health Service Plan for 2019 and associated priorities and allocations are awaited to assess the proposals in relation to LDATFs.

“Three separate pieces of additional funding were allocated to Task Forces during 2018 (amounting to approximately €52,000 per Task Force) however, this funding is all once-off.

“This type of piecemeal and once-off funding is inefficient and is inadequate to support the strategic and sustainable investment in local services needed in our communities. In effect, this means there has been no progress in the overall restoration of Task Force budgets during 2018."

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Cllr Ward said it was "crucial" that funding restoration begins immediately, with the possibility of a move towards a health–led approach to drug use and to the removal of criminal sanctions for possession for personal use.

“This change will only show real and tangible outcomes if there is a clear commitment from government to invest in the services that are needed and, in particular, to make sure this investment is made where it really counts, on the ground in day-to-day service delivery in our communities."